Placido Hilukilwa
SHOCKING incidents of rape were reported to the police in the Ohangwena Region recently, leaving law enforcement officers scratching their heads trying to figure out what more needs to be done to stop the heinous acts of some men.
Latest incidents include a six-year-old girl who was reportedly raped by her grandfather and a 17-years old girl who was raped and impregnated by her guardian.
According to inspector Kaume Itumba, a 50-year-old suspect allegedly walked to nearby bushes accompanied by his grandchild, whom he promptly ordered to lay down and oversee to rape her.
This happened at the Omaputu village in the Endola Constituency on Tuesday.
The incident was only reported to the police on Thursday and the suspect was arrested that same day.
He was expected to appear in court today.
In another case of rape, which dates back to May, but was only reported to the police on Thursday, happened at the Engela village.
The victim, who is 17-year-old, is now pregnant after her guardian repeatedly raped her.
According to the police, the rape was initially covered up.
The information only leaked recently when people started whispering about the girl’s pregnancy.
When Informante spoke to Itumba on Friday afternoon, police officers were still in the process of arresting the suspect.
Itumba complained about a widespread tendency of covering up crimes such as rape.
He said that in both cases, the incidents were not reported promptly, which creates some difficulties for police investigators.
Itumba said that the police has made all kinds of attempts to enlighten the public on how to combat crime and why there is a need to report crime incidents as soon as possible.
The police has been holding public information meetings in all corners of the region, but it is proving to be an uphill battle.
